The Golden Gate Railroad Museum Gives Railfans A Chance To Run A Steam Locomotive

Source: The Golden Gate Railroad Museum (Press Release)

The Golden Gate Railroad Museum, in conjunction with the Niles Canyon Railway, is excited to announce the opportunity of a lifetime. Take a step back in time and fulfill your childhood fantasy of running a steam locomotive with our "Run-A-Steam-Locomotive" program.

The Run-A-Steam-Locomotive program will be held on Thursday, March 11, and Friday, March 12, 2010 on the Niles Canyon Railway in beautiful Niles, California. What better way to gear up for Winterail 2010?

Operations will utilize the GGRM's former Southern Pacific 4-6-2 #2472

An instructional course will be provided by the Golden Gate Railroad Museum's Chief Mechanical Officer on the safe and proper handling of a steam locomotive.

During your one hour session you will operate SP 2472 from the end of yard limits at Niles two miles into the canyon and back at 10 miles per hour.

Two people can share an operating session; Participants under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

Proper clothing is required. We recommend a long sleeve shirt, boots and gloves.

Former Southern Pacific Club-Lounge No. 2979 will serve as the classroom and refreshment area.

Participants will receive a certificate and special recognition item.

Tickets can be purchased online at http://ral.eventbrite.com.

See Also: The Golden Gate Railroad Museum To Offer Romance On The Rails

The Golden Gate Railroad Museum To Offer Romance On The Rails

Source: The Golden Gate Railroad Museum

The Golden Gate Railroad Museum is pleased to announce that our 1940's vintage Southern Pacific lounge car #2979 will be available for reserved seating on the 2010 Valentine’s Day Train on the Niles Canyon Railway.

Mark your calendars and come out to experience Romance on the Rails when GGRM and The Pacific Locomotive Association host a Valentines Day Wine Train on Sunday February 14, 2010. You'll be served a selection of wines and Hors d'oeuvres onboard this luxurious Art Deco Lounge Car.

Experience the magic of this elegant Art Deco lounge, as it winds through Niles Canyon on a two-hour round-trip ride from Sunol to Fremont and return. Your trip on the Southern Pacific 2979 is aboard a vintage 1940’s parlor lounge car restored to its original layout, appearance and atmosphere. The car features plush lounge seating and a semi-circular mahogany bar framed by etched glass and mirrors.

All seating in the Valentine Lounge is reserved. To purchase tickets, please visit our ticketing site.

The car is climate controlled for your comfort and enjoyment. For your comfort and safety our volunteer car attendants will be aboard the car to assist in boarding, detraining or if any assistance is needed during your trip.

Note: The Valentine Lounge is not wheelchair accessible due to the narrow aisles and doorways on our antique equipment.

For more information, see the Valentine Lounge FAQ and event flyer.

Operating Under Vegetable Power Brings The Grand Canyon Railroad Accolades

Source: Grand Canyon Railway

The Grand Canyon Railway has been recognized by the Arizona Hotel and Lodging Association (AzHLA) with a 2009 Special Achievement Award. The Railway and Xanterra South Rim developed a program to collect used vegetable oil from Grand Canyon restaurants for use in the train’s steam locomotive.

According to AzHLA, “The ‘Stars of the Industry’ awards program was created more than 40 years ago to recognize outstanding accomplishments in the lodging industry. While the categories have evolved over the years, the concept is still the same - to honor lodging employees and properties that best symbolize the quality service of the industry.” The Special Achievement Award recognizes entities that meet guest expectations while minimizing environmental impacts.

In previous years the Grand Canyon Railway operated steam locomotives from Memorial Day to Labor Day, but the Railway discontinued this schedule after 2008, opting to maintain the steam locomotives and use them for special occasions. In 2009 the steam locomotive #4960 – powered by vegetable oil – operated in September to celebrate the Railway’s 20th anniversary since it began its second incarnation in 1989. The Grand Canyon Railway operated for nearly 70 years beginning in 1901.

“We made the decision to discontinue regular usage of our steam locomotives for environmental reasons,” said Gordon Taylor, general manager of the Grand Canyon Railway. “We have continued to maintain and conserve the engines for future use. In keeping with our environmental mission, we sought ways to operate them in a more eco-friendly manner, and that’s where our sister operation Xanterra South Rim entered the picture by collecting and processing the used vegetable oil from its restaurants.”

Specific results of the decision to discontinue steam locomotives throughout the summer included:

- Saving approximately 900 gallons per day or 162,000 gallons fuel per year of diesel fuel
- Saving approximately 1,200 gallons of water per day – 216,000 gallons per year
- Reducing approximately 2,700 tons of carbon dioxide (chief greenhouse gas) emissions, 2.6 tons of nitrogen oxides and 1.8 tons of sulfur oxides
- Reducing the pollution associated with maintenance and operation of the steam train

The Grand Canyon Railway operates daily train service between Williams, Ariz., and the Grand Canyon. The Railway offers four distinct classes of service, as well as money-saving packages featuring the Grand Canyon Railway Hotel in Williams. Overnight stays at the Grand Canyon and optional tours also can be included in the packages. Grand Canyon Railway is an authorized concessioner of the National Park Service and the U.S. Forest Service. For more information, visit www.thetrain.com or call 1-800-THE-TRAIN (1-800-843-8724).

The Grand Canyon Railway is operated by Xanterra Parks & Resorts

Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad Announces Winter Train Schedule

Source: Durango & Silverton (Press Release)

The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad will begin winter service to Cascade Canyon beginning Wednesday, November 25, 2009. The train travels 52 miles round trip into the San Juan National Forest.

The wilderness destination of Cascade Canyon Pavilion is the ideal setting for a fire-side lunch, photo opportunities, or a walk along the Animas River during the approximate 45- minute layover. The train will run on a Thursday – Sunday schedule until December 16, when it will operate daily through December 31. Beginning in January, 2010, dates of operation will vary and are available on the Web site www.durangotrain.com or by calling the depot.

The train departs Durango at 10:00 a.m. and returns at 3:00 pm. Tickets are $49 for Standard-Class adult tickets; $29 for Standard-Class children’s tickets (ages 4-11); $69 for Deluxe Class tickets (available in January for ages 12 and over); and $89 for Premium-Class tickets (available to ages 21 and over). All 2010 fares are subject to a 4% Historic Preservation Association fee.

For reservations and more information, please visit www.durangotrain.com or call 888-872-4607 or 970-247-2733.

See Also: Railroad News - Cumbres & Toltec - Photographers Special With K-36 Plow & Flanger

Railroad News - Cumbres & Toltec - Photographers Special With K-36 Plow & Flanger

Written By: Ken Hulsey
Source: Cumbres & Toltec Senic Railroad

On December 4th the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad will be running a special train for photographers featuring a K-36 locomotive with plow attached through the snow swept mountains of Colorado and New Mexico.

Railroad buffs will not want to miss this one. The Toltec, which operates ex Rio Grande narrow gauge equipment, runs through some of the most beautiful scenery in the United States. Not to mention that steam locomotives produce amazing plumes of steam and smoke during the cold winter months. This combination will undoubtedly produce some incredible opportunities for some once in a lifetime railroad photographs.

If you love trains, or just love photography, this is an event that shouldn't be missed!

Here is the info from the Cumbres & Toltec website:

Winter Photographers Plow Extra with K-36 Locomotive, plow and flanger

Friday, December 4--Weather Permitting

Cost: $275 Chama to Cumbres Heated Passengers Cars
$325 Chama to Cumbres Caboose (limit 10)

50% discount FOR CHILDREN UNDER 18
Departs Chama: 9:30AM
Arrives Chama: 2PM (Approximate)

Join us aboard the C&T for this rare opportunity to view and photograph the iron horse working hard to clear track along the line. This winter train adventure is sure to delight railfans as they watch crew members turn on the wye, clean SWITCH stands and battle the elements. A box lunch will be provided along with hot beverages. So bundle up, grab your camera and prepare for a unique ride aboard the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad. The consist will include two 40 seat coaches along with an open gondola and the 05635 caboose. Run-bys at road crossings as time permits.

From 2:30 to 4:00 after the "Winter Photographers Plow Extra" there will be a slide show of 300 slides of "Snow Fighting On The C&TSRR" along with the "Great blizzard of 1957". We will have snacks & Hot Chocolate and Coffee available. The show will be put on by Rich Muth "Docent Extraordinaire"

There also will be a night photo shoot (weather permitting) using Locomotive 487. This shoot is being organized by the famous Michael Ripley.

Call 1-888-286-2737 to make your reservation.


For More Info, Go To: http://www.cumbrestoltec.com/content/events/72.aspx